The Hungry Tourist is delighted to present:

The Grand Spain Food Tour

OCTOBER 20 – 28, 2023

Here’s a glorious list of the restaurants we shall visit, but not the surprises that we prepared for you in between.

The Hungry Tourist’s sanctuary and foodies’ heaven.

Chef Oriol Rovira’s Els Casals is more than just a restaurant. It’s a way of life. Set within farmland owned by the Rovira family for over 600 years, Els Casals offers cuisine from the land in which the majority of products come from the family’s own farm or nearby producers: vegetables and fruit, eggs, milk, and dairy products, poultry, pork, mushrooms, truffles, etc.

The cuisine is highly dependent on the seasonality of products, which are always treated with the highest respect so they may be appreciated and enjoyed in the best conditions.

Chef Jordi Vilà ‘at the helm of Alkimia, digs deep into the past, present, and future of Catalan gastronomy. Exploring the entire range of our culinary landscape, from the center to the margins, Both grounded in tradition and open to embracing the most radical contemporary ideas.

When thinking about Alkimia’s cooking, we always place value on the moment, that fleeting instant in which the secret of each dish is revealed.

Cooking is an odyssey, a journey that can only be made in one way: cooking.

We shall enjoy a specially prepared feast at Alkimia’s most beautiful Private Dining Room.

In Disfrutar (in English “Enjoy”), which is ranked #5 on the world’s 50 best restaurants list, creativity, high technical skill, fantasy, and good taste are the hallmarks of El Bulli veteran chefs Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro, and Eduard Xatruchhere.

They conjure up a true gastronomic experience via several tasting menus in a simple, contemporary space with an open-view kitchen. The name of the restaurant, which translates as ‘enjoy’, says it all!

We will enjoy the special “Living” Table experience.

A proposal that was born from the initiative of the interior designer Merche Alcalà and with which chefs Castro, Xatruch, and Casañas have worked to offer a totally different and new culinary experience.

The “living” table is located in the R&D kitchen of the restaurant gives life to the table and invites guests (you) to participate in the gastronomic experience.

Desde 1911 is an homage to the Garcia Azpíroz family’s deep-rooted traditions, stemming from passionate respect for the sea and generations of fishermen.

Led by María Juliana Azpíroz and Evaristo García, along with their proud fourth generation of fishermen and muleteers, this dream was made possible. Desde 1911 embodies the same fascination and passion that Evaristo felt for restaurants; whereby fresh seafood arrives daily to create unique culinary experiences.

Tradition meets innovation at Desde 1911, where quality produce is combined with modern-day excellence to make every diner’s experience nothing short of unforgettable.

Desde 1911 offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience that combines the best of tradition and innovation. With fresh seafood arriving daily, diners are treated to a culinary journey unlike any other. Six starters offer an exquisite taste of the menu, while the main course is always the most delicious of the day’s catch.

Finish your meal with a cheese board or dessert from their impressive selection of national and international wines, including old vintages that have been part of Pescaderías Coruñesas’ journey for years. Enjoy an exquisite dining experience at Desde 1911 and leave knowing you’ve sampled something truly extraordinary.

Estimar is a tribute to a love for the sea and its raw materials, and the brainchild of Rafa Zafra and Anna Gotanegra, his wife. Zafra brings to the table a lifetime of experience in the kitchen that started when he was 16, working in Seville at Tristán, then Arzak, and most notably for several years at Ferran Adria’s El Bulli.

Anna, who manages the restaurant, completes Rafa’s rare talent in the kitchen with deep roots that go back to 1895 in the fish market of plaza Sant Pere de Roses, which ensures the restaurant a daily supply of the best quality products.

Many consider DiverXo, the culinary Circus of genius chef Dabiz Muñoz, the best restaurant in Spain, and the current menu the best ever by chef Dabiz.

Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of flavors from all over the world as Muñoz personally interprets them, and his crew takes you to gastronomy la la land.

The backdrop to your culinary experience is a stunning modern design, unlike any other restaurant you’ve ever visited.

Asador Etxebarri nestled deep in the Urkiola mountains of Vizcaya is surrounded by green fields and craggy peaks. The entrance takes you through a simple village bar. Once upstairs, though, you are transported to another world, a space at once refined and rustic.

Chef Bittor Arginzoniz dominates that most primal, most basic, most ancient element of fire which he applies with a delicate touch to the best raw ingredients. Using a deceptively simple technique, he elevates them as close as possible to their Platonic ideal.

Bittor and his staff plan to create an unforgettable meal for us on the cusp of spring when some of his favorite ingredients will be at their height. In 2018 Etxebarri will be reducing it’s capacity to half (barely 20 guests a day). We are one of the few groups allowed.

The real action in San Sebastián starts at nightfall when the international crowd of foodies mingles with the local and hops from one pintxos bar to another to try their best creations with a glass of Txakoli, cider or beer.

Elkano is a classic restaurant, a cozy restaurant, a Basque restaurant. Its fish and seafood are peerless. The setting and service are warm, refined, and unfussy. Owner Aitor Arregi expects rodaballo (turbot) to be at its height during our visit. His father was the pioneer in grilling turbot whole over chestnut coals.

The crispy skin, the delicate buttery flesh, the crunchy fins, the squishy bits around the head: all are meant to be eaten in turn, and Aitor will come to the table to give us directions and advice; it’s almost like a piscine anatomy lesson. In a long lineup of Basque grill experts, Elkano is a leader of the pack.

Casa Julian Restaurant in Tolosa, Spain is a beloved establishment that has been serving traditional Basque cuisine since 1950. The restaurant is renowned for its specialty dish, the Txuleta , a thick cut of grilled beef that is cooked over a wood fire and served with roasted peppers and fries.

The restaurant’s interior is rustic and charming, with exposed brick walls and wooden beams, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Casa Julian is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Basque Country who is seeking an authentic culinary experience.

The Barcelona Edition Hotel

Experience the 5-star luxury of The Barcelona EDITION. This luxury lifestyle boutique hotel epitomizes luxury through a personal, intimate, individualized, and unique local hotel experience and the timelessly elegant design that Ian Schrager is known for and provides inspired amenities for your stay in Spain.

The Barcelona EDITION is located in the city center, beside the Picasso Museum and the Barcelona Gothic Cathedral, adjacent to the Santa Caterina Market and steps away from Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia and Barceloneta beach. More than 15 iconic Barcelona sights and historic landmarks are walking distance from the hotel, avoiding the need for any transportation while discovering Barcelona’s best kept secrets.

The hotel features 100 stylish and sophisticated rooms and suites with custom-made Le Labo bathroom amenities, a selection of rooms with stunning views over the iconic architectural masterpiece Santa Caterina Market roof, multiple connecting rooms for family travel and exclusive penthouse suites with private panoramic terraces and extended space.

The Madrid Edition is the first luxury hotel and lifestyle epicenter nestled in the vibrant heart of Madrid.

An urban resort featuring 200 timeless and sophisticated rooms and suites, unparalleled multiple unique indoor and outdoor restaurants, bars, entertainment options, wellness center, and exceptional personalized service, all under the same roof.

The Madrid Edition is near Puerta de Sol in the heart of the Spanish capital, one of the city’s most famous sites, and within walking distance to The Golden Triangle of Art – three of the most important art museums in Madrid.

The hotel manifests the people and the culture of the city and is synonymous with a stunning microcosm of one-of-a-kind food, beverage, and entertainment offerings, innovative design, and luxury service.

Since opening in 1912, the restored Hotel Maria Cristina has been closely linked to the history and cultural life of San Sebastian and. the favored accommodation for international high society and movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Woody Allen, Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Brad Pitt, and Susan Sarandon.

Decorated in a sophisticated palette of greys and white, the rooms are a quiet haven of luxury, style, technology, and a dazzling range of services which, combined, make for an unforgettable stay.

Itinerary and Hotels

The Barcelona Edition Hotel: From Oct 20 to 22, 2023

Els Casals: Night of Oct 22, 2023

The Madrid Edition Hotel: From Oct 23 to 26, 2023

Maria Cristina Hotel: From Oct 26 to 28, 2023

Kick-off meal: Lunch at either Alkimia or Disfrutar at 13:00 on Oct 20.

Last meal: Dinner at Casa Julian on Oct 27.

Apply to Join The Tour

A Note on Set Menus

The menus offered during the tour are selected by The Hungry Tourist with the help of our local partners. We believe they represent the best culinary fare the Basque Country has to offer. Guests may order outside of these menus at their own expense.

Payment

A non-refundable deposit of Euro 1500 per person will be charged upon reservation.

The balance must be paid no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the tour.

Payments are preferred by bank transfer. Payments with Credit Card will incur a 4% supplement.


Cancellation Policy and Penalties

If cancellation is received up to 30 days before the first day of the tour, the deposit will be forfeited.

If cancellation is received up to 10 days before the first day of the tour, a penalty fee of 50% of the remaining balance will be charged. If cancellation notice is received within 10 days of the first day of the tour or the guest is a no-show, the entirety of the remaining balance will be charged.